Go AutoX, its fun!

I drive about 45 minutes each way, the good thing is the lot at Giants Stadium is huge, new and we have a great course designer. Totally worth it. I brought a friend from the UK with me last year and he was dubious about doing it based on my description of "Driving around cones in a parking lot", but I don't think he stopped smiling until the day after the autocross...he said best thing he'd done. LOL - it is so much better to do then describe or hear about.

Agreed. I'd guess that at least 90% of the people who try it once, go back for more. I'm having such withdrawals now and last year was the first time I went. I'm so hooked and there are 2 local groups for me and I'm going to try and make it to at least a few of the Giants stadium events. Looking to be a pretty busy summer!

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there are multiple groups that use the Meadowlands. Look up schedules at http:// autox4u.com (or something close)

I usually drive around 2-2 1/2 hours to go to some autox's in iowa. Granted some of them are amazing, paying 35 bucks to run down 2 1/2 mile runways, I've hit speeds up to 85 in my evo on the back slalom... It's the cheapest and easiest way to race/learn your car. Plus you don't get Arrested!!

I also agree, going and watching is NOT worth your time because it does look boring from the sidelines. It looks as if your slowly going down a strait, but inside the car your hauling it as HARD as you can through a decreasing slalom, flinging your car at just the brink of out of control, dancing it from one slide to another feathering in some left foot braking and counter steer to get just the perfect amount of rotation and speed. When you get to the point that your reacting to everything with NO hesitation at all, linking corners together in a smooth yet at the edge of loosing control rhythm, there's nothing quite like it.

I'm hoping to give it a go here in the Kansas City area--I understand that there's a novice class the local SCCA chapter puts on in April. (Am I right, Smokin? ) And from what I understand, there are some talented autoX drivers 'round here. (Again, am I right, Smokin? !) Which mean I'll get slaughtered, competition-wise, I'm sure, but also means I hope to have opportunity to learn some things about performance driving. Looking forward to it!

Realize that your first year of AutoX you will not be competitive, perhaps not even by your 2nd or 3rd! BUT the main thing is you'll learn something EVERY TIME YOU GO that will help you next time/ on the streets. Don't even go into it trying to set lap records your first time. Just go to learn, meet other enthusiasts, and have a great time! Most of the more experienced drivers have no problem if you ride along with them.

If there's an event that's farther north in the Kc region I might have to swing down and see you two!!

I'm hoping to give it a go here in the Kansas City area--I understand that there's a novice class the local SCCA chapter puts on in April. (Am I right, Smokin? ) And from what I understand, there are some talented autoX drivers 'round here. (Again, am I right, Smokin? !) Which mean I'll get slaughtered, competition-wise, I'm sure, but also means I hope to have opportunity to learn some things about performance driving. Looking forward to it!

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If you look at it like that it may not be much fun "getting slaughtered" look at it as playing gold where it is you against the course and just try to HAVE FUN and better your own personal times... breath and enjoy...

Oh, no worries, I'm not looking to actually compete, but only to learn and improve. Given that I figure I'll start at the "LOTS of room for improvement" level, I'll get to learn lots! And I do hope to get the occasional ride with a good driver, to see how it's supposed to be done.

When I mentioned getting slaughtered, it was purely out of pre-emptive recognition that I will NOT be competitive, that's all. I've got no ego on the line, and don't really care, as long as I have fun and learn.

Oh, no worries, I'm not looking to actually compete, but only to learn and improve. Given that I figure I'll start at the "LOTS of room for improvement" level, I'll get to learn lots! And I do hope to get the occasional ride with a good driver, to see how it's supposed to be done.

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Another great thing is being able to experience other platforms other then your own. In iowa at the end of events if we have time, we have fun runs where we can run in other peoples cars. (last even I made my 6 runs during the competition, and my FiST made 29 runs during fun runs! Let's just say I wasn't the only one that wanted to experience the car!) I have driven everything from national solo champ subaru's, to corvettes, a 65 Mini Cooper rally car, BMW E30's, Ford Festivas with turbos... The list goes on. It a one of the best decisions I can honestly say I've made in my life.

When I mentioned getting slaughtered, it was purely out of pre-emptive recognition that I will NOT be competitive, that's all. I've got no ego on the line, and don't really care, as long as I have fun and learn.

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Keep this in mind and You will do fine.. I found some of my runs that I thought felt fast were my worst and the ones i felt i messed up turned out to be my best. Getting to know how wide and long your car is goes a long way to getting friendly with the cones but not too friendly

Wha--!?! Let someone else drive my baby?!?! But, will they be gentle? Speak kindly to her? Caress her in just the right way? I--I don't know--it's just that we have such a deeply intense, intimate, close relationship, and I don't want anything coming between us . . . . Ah, to hell with it, if I get to drive someone's souped-up 'Vette, it'll be worth it!

That is perfect! You'll notice the fastest, are usually the smoothest.

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That's the autox gospel. If you watch my Z06 'Vette in-car video from the "past cars" thread it looks like I am haulin' ass ... which means I was slow LOL. That car was in ASP and I got beat by 2 seconds or more by national SS drivers who looked like they were out for a Sunday drive in the country. I worked the course for SS and could only shake my head at how slow they looked but how much faster than me they were.

when starting out do a ride along with an instructor (assuming your region/group has them). Watching someone who know what they are doing drive your car helps understand what it is supposed to look and feel like. I have also taken a couple courses...including the Evolution school. Besides getting instruction on the basics you get tons of runs and nothing helps more than seat time.